Martinelli joins Al-Hilal from Arsenal for reported £60 million

Arsenal star Gabriel Martinelli has transferred to Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal in a deal reportedly worth £60 million, according to British media reports. The 25-year-old Brazil international will sign a four-year contract with the Saudi Pro League side, which is currently leading the table alongside Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr.

Martinelli's move follows Alex Oxlade Chamberlain's £35 million departure to Liverpool in 2017, making him the most expensive player to leave Arsenal to date. The Arsenal forward expressed his pride in joining Al-Hilal in a video on the club's social media channels. Martinelli's transfer comes after Leandro Trossard's move to Besiktas, raising concerns about Arsenal's shortage of left-sided players.

Despite being left out of the Gunners' first two matchday squads of the season, Martinelli's performances earned him nearly 300 games and 62 goals for the club, including their first Premier League title in 20 years. Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright criticized the club's decision, stating, "I know they might want him out, and a lot of people might say, yeah, it's time for him to move him on. But there's ways of doing that and it should suit him as well, how he wants to leave."